Question Corner: Can I go to a Methodist church since there are no Catholic churches nearby? May 8, 2024By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner Q: I recently moved to a rural area, and my current parish is now nearly an hour drive away. There are no Catholic churches in my new area. There is, however, a Methodist church right across the street from my new home, in easy walking distance. They are open for services on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. I know the two faiths are different in some key areas, but, as a Catholic, how wrong would I be if I simply went to this Methodist church? I asked a cradle Catholic friend about this, and they said as long as I go to Catholic Mass once a year, I’ll be considered active in the Catholic faith, but if I miss over a year I’ll be considered a “lapsed Catholic,” and that if I ever want to come back I’ll be considered a “revert,” and have to go through RCIA again. Could you comment and clarify? (Southern Indiana) A: There are several questions within your question. To start with the first one: It is not wrong or sinful for a Catholic simply to attend a non-Catholic religious service. However, a Methodist Sunday service would not fulfill the Sunday obligation for a Catholic. Deliberately missing Sunday Mass is in itself “grave matter” and a serious sin that should be brought to the sacrament of penance. Still, it’s good to recall that the church’s law does not bind us to do the impossible. The sinfulness of your personally potentially missing Sunday Mass in your own situation might be diminished due to mitigating factors. Regarding the idea that a Catholic only needs to attend Mass once a year to remain “active,” I think your friend might be a little confused. As noted above, Catholics are required to attend Mass every Sunday. But strictly speaking, a Catholic is only required to receive Holy Communion once per year (after the sacrament of penance if the Catholic is conscious of having committed a mortal sin in the past year). Among Catholics this is sometimes colloquially referred to as the “Easter duty.” Naturally, we as Catholics are encouraged to go to confession and receive Holy Communion much more often than once a year! But if a Catholic for whatever reason discerns that he or she is not spiritually prepared to receive the Eucharist on a weekly basis, it is legitimate for him or her to fulfill the Sunday obligation by attending Mass without receiving Communion, as long as they receive Communion at least once during each Easter season. While we might popularly use the term “active Catholic” to describe a Catholic who takes their faith seriously, technically “active Catholic” is not a category in canon law. Canon law does have some specific penalties such as excommunication that might restrict a Catholic from fully participating in the life of the church; and canon 916 reminds us that a Catholic should not receive Communion if they are conscious of having committed a serious sin that has not yet been absolved. But once someone is baptized Catholic or formally received into the Catholic Church, they are always considered Catholic, even if they fall away from the faith or fail to practice it regularly. Nothing — not even neglecting the Sunday obligation — can “de-activate” a person’s identity as a Catholic. Because of this, a lapsed Catholic who wanted to return to a full practice of the faith would not be eligible for RCIA, that is, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. RCIA is primarily intended for catechumens, or unbaptized persons who are preparing to receive the sacraments of initiation. As such, RCIA would not be appropriate for a Catholic who has already been fully initiated. In the majority of situations, all a lapsed Catholic would need to do to return to a full participation in the life of the church is sincerely repent and make a good confession. Read More Question Corner Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment? Jenna Marie Cooper June 29, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260629T1645-QUESTION-CORNER-VOW-RENEWAL-1822617.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Hypothetically, would a vow renewal like this have any impact if a couple were to try for an annulment later? jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260629T1645-QUESTION-CORNER-VOW-RENEWAL-1822617.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment? Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting? Jenna Marie Cooper June 24, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260623T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-MASS-INTENTIONS-1822327.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); The short answer is that your priest isn’t offering Mass for the people of the parish because he personally wanted to or because he thought it was a good idea (although he probably is happy to do this and praying for the people of the parish is indeed a good idea)! Rather, he was offering this specific Mass intention because the Church’s canon law specifically requires him to do so. jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260623T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-MASS-INTENTIONS-1822327.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting? Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper June 16, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260615T1430-QUESTION-CORNER-WEDDING-ATTENDING-1821837.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern. jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260615T1430-QUESTION-CORNER-WEDDING-ATTENDING-1821837.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process? Jenna Marie Cooper June 9, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260608T1515-QUESTION-CORNER-BROTHER-SISTER-1821283.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); If the original marriage is presumed to be a true and binding one, then living as a married person with a new spouse is technically committing adultery — even if most divorced and remarried people wouldn’t subjectively experience it this way. jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260608T1515-QUESTION-CORNER-BROTHER-SISTER-1821283.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process? Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process? Jenna Marie Cooper June 3, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260602T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-ORDINATION-CELIBACY-1820768.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Hypothetically, what would happen if the bishop accidentally left out the part of the ordination Mass where the future priest promises celibacy? That wouldn’t mean that the new priest was actually free to marry, would it? jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260602T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-ORDINATION-CELIBACY-1820768.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process? Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement? Jenna Marie Cooper May 27, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260526T1600-QUESTION-CORNER-PUBLIC-JUDGEMENT-1820448.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); When Jesus comes again to judge us all, how public will this be? As in, will everyone know each other’s sins when this happens? jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260526T1600-QUESTION-CORNER-PUBLIC-JUDGEMENT-1820448.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement? 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Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment? Jenna Marie Cooper June 29, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260629T1645-QUESTION-CORNER-VOW-RENEWAL-1822617.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-294237’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Hypothetically, would a vow renewal like this have any impact if a couple were to try for an annulment later? jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260629T1645-QUESTION-CORNER-VOW-RENEWAL-1822617.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-294237’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Would a vow renewal impact a future annulment?
Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting? Jenna Marie Cooper June 24, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260623T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-MASS-INTENTIONS-1822327.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-294106’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); The short answer is that your priest isn’t offering Mass for the people of the parish because he personally wanted to or because he thought it was a good idea (although he probably is happy to do this and praying for the people of the parish is indeed a good idea)! Rather, he was offering this specific Mass intention because the Church’s canon law specifically requires him to do so. jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260623T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-MASS-INTENTIONS-1822327.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-294106’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Should a priest do a Mass intention ‘for the people of the parish’ when there are more specific intentions waiting?
Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest? Jenna Marie Cooper June 16, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260615T1430-QUESTION-CORNER-WEDDING-ATTENDING-1821837.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-293709’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); “Non-Catholic wedding” is a very broad term that can refer to a number of scenarios. In some of these scenarios, there is no reason why a Catholic, even a Catholic priest or deacon, should feel the need to decline an invitation to attend as a guest. But other “non-Catholic weddings” would be more of a concern. jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260615T1430-QUESTION-CORNER-WEDDING-ATTENDING-1821837.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-293709’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Can a Catholic priest attend a non-Catholic wedding reception as a guest?
Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process? Jenna Marie Cooper June 9, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260608T1515-QUESTION-CORNER-BROTHER-SISTER-1821283.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-293279’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); If the original marriage is presumed to be a true and binding one, then living as a married person with a new spouse is technically committing adultery — even if most divorced and remarried people wouldn’t subjectively experience it this way. jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260608T1515-QUESTION-CORNER-BROTHER-SISTER-1821283.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-293279’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: What does it mean if a couple is asked to ‘live as brother and sister’ during an annulment process?
Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process? Jenna Marie Cooper June 3, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260602T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-ORDINATION-CELIBACY-1820768.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-293122’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Hypothetically, what would happen if the bishop accidentally left out the part of the ordination Mass where the future priest promises celibacy? That wouldn’t mean that the new priest was actually free to marry, would it? jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260602T1630-QUESTION-CORNER-ORDINATION-CELIBACY-1820768.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-293122’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: When does a priest promise celibacy in the ordination process?
Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement? Jenna Marie Cooper May 27, 2026 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260526T1600-QUESTION-CORNER-PUBLIC-JUDGEMENT-1820448.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-before-292887’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); When Jesus comes again to judge us all, how public will this be? As in, will everyone know each other’s sins when this happens? jQuery(document).ready(function($) { $(‘#facebook-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { facebook: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘facebook’); } }); $(‘#twitter-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { twitter: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { twitter: { via: ‘CatholicReview’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘twitter’); } }); $(‘#pinterest-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { pinterest: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { pinterest: { media: ‘https://catholicreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260526T1600-QUESTION-CORNER-PUBLIC-JUDGEMENT-1820448.jpg’, description: ‘Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement?’ } }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘pinterest’); } }); $(‘#linkedin-after-292887’).sharrre({ share: { linkedin: true }, enableHover: false, enableTracking: true, disableCount: true, buttons: { }, click: function(api, options){ api.simulateClick(); api.openPopup(‘linkedin’); } }); }); Continue Reading Question Corner: Will everyone know each other’s sins at the last judgement?
